Routes

When you’re feeling restless, a relaxing walk or bike ride is the perfect solution! Head outside and discover the “real” Bern – there’s an ideal route for everyone!

Relax and take it easy

Going for a stroll along the Aare river is the perfect celebration of the characteristic Bernese relaxedness. From the Botanical Garden to the protected meadows of Elfenau park – the Green Aare Walk lets you slow down and explore the federal city one green oasis at a time.

To the Green Aare Walk

For serene cyclists

How about unwinding on a relaxed bike ride? There’s numerous cycle paths and unique scenic e-bike routes around Bern waiting to be explored. And thanks to the inspiring stories along the way, you will return home brimming with new ideas and experiences.

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For art aficionados

All roads lead to Klee – well, almost. At least these three do. The “Wege zu Klee” (paths to Klee) can be walked independently (equipped with an information brochure) or accompanied by a guide. They take about two hours and lead you to Renzo Piano’s impressive building, the Zentrum Paul Klee, on different routes: be it via the city and the Aare river, via the Old City and the Rosengarten, or via round-trip through Ostermundigen.

Off to Klee

For adventurers of all ages

Dragons, witches, and a spectacular waterfall: the Häxewääg (Witch Trail) by lake Schwarzsee captivates and motivates even the laziest little hikers. There are seven witches along the way, and you can stop and listen to the fairytales and myths they tell. They may be a bit spooky, but that makes this two-hour themed hike all the more exciting! The hike around pretty lake Schwarzsee is suited for families and children of all ages and stroller friendly.

Hop on your brooms and get going!

For fun-loving families

Bern natives – the children especially – love their local mountain, the Gurten. Some 22 attractions, 20 of which are completely free, invite visitors of all ages to explore, experience and enjoy. The ball path, which is almost 300 metres long and reminds us of the machines of famous artist Jean Tinguely, is one of the many highlights. The Gurten (860 metres above sea level) can be reached in 20 minutes from Bern’s main station: take line S3 or S31 of the regional train or streetcar number 9 to the stop “Gurtenbahn”, then ascend with the red Gurten funicular or on foot.

Onward and upward

  • Fact

    Attention, fans of the “Hausberg” (local mountain): The Gurten cable car will be renovated from Janu-ary to May 2024, and a bus will run up the Gurten as an alternative. For this reason, there will be no skiing, tobogganing or bike shuttle during this period. The toboggan run will even close a little earlier: on 31 October you can toboggan around the bend while enjoying a stunning view of Bern for the last time until the end of the renovation period.

For diminutive detectives

The kids don’t like the idea of going for a walk? A Foxtrail is the perfect solution and far from boring: work together to solve tricky riddles, decipher secret messages, crack codes and search for clues on Switzerland’s most exciting scavenger hunt. Different routes, varying from 2 to 4.5 hours, will lead you to Bern’s prettiest spots and take the entire family on a fun adventure.

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